The Pharaohs of Egypt will host the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Cairo International Stadium in a friendly on Tuesday, December 16.
This fixture serves as a preparatory match for both teams ahead of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Both countries are considered top contenders for the competition and will be hoping to identify and address their weaknesses before the tournament begins next week.
Egypt will, however, be without their biggest star and talisman, Mohamed Salah. He was involved with Liverpool last weekend and had not arrived in camp as of press time, making him unavailable for the game.
Similarly, Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush is yet to link up with the team and will also miss the match. Nonetheless, coach Hossam Hassan has enough firepower — most of who are home-based — to prosecute the fixture.
Focused on Tuesday’s friendly game against Nigeria #egyptnt pic.twitter.com/UXOZHEuwnJ
— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) December 14, 2025
Ahead of the game slated for 7 PM Nigerian time, Soccernet.ng highlights five players who will be key for Egypt.
Five Egyptian Players Who Will Be Key vs Super Eagles
1. Ibrahim Adel
Ibrahim Adel is a key member of the Egyptian national team. At 24, the Al Jazira man already has 17 caps and three goals.
Primarily a left winger, he can also operate from the right or as a striker. Adel is quick, and nifty. He also likes to sneak into central positions to get amongst the goals.
Given the Super Eagles’ potentially shaky full-back positions, Adel will be relishing the prospect of facing them. If the Nigerian defenders fail to perform, the consequences could be severe.
2. Zizo
Zizo is another player the Super Eagles must be wary of. Primarily a right winger, he is versatile enough to play on the left or in central midfield.
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The Al Ahly man is one of the top performers in the Egyptian Premier League, and is currently in excellent form, boasting of three goals and four assists in nine games.
Zizo is an excellent crosser of the ball and a fine dribbler. Whoever plays left-back for the Super Eagles must stay glued to him because of his speed and ability to dribble past defenders.
3. Rami Rabia
32-year-old Rami Rabia is a key defensive presence for Egypt. While he lacks pace, he compensates in other ways.
Rabia has a strong aerial presence and always plays like his life depends on it. He has 37 caps and is a respected figure in the squad, having played for Al Ahly for many years.
Rabia will be extra motivated to perform against Nigeria given the high competition for defensive spots in the Egyptian squad.
4. Mohamed Hany
Egypt’s right-back Hany is another player who could cause havoc against Nigeria. The Al Ahly defender is one of the more versatile players in the squad, capable of playing as a center-back or midfielder.
Hany is a quick and fleet-footed player. His four assists in nine Premier League appearances for Al Ahly this season prove how willing he is to bomb forward and his decisiveness in attack.
Hany is expected to play a key role for Egypt at the AFCON, even after the game against the Super Eagles.
5. Mahmoud Trezeguet
Mahmoud Trezeguet is one of the most respected and highly-rated players in the Egyptian squad. With 22 goals in 86 appearances for the Pharaohs, he is definitely an attacking threat to be concerned about.
The 31-year-old forward can occupy multiple attacking positions due to his technical quality. He possesses a wicked right foot that he uses to cause havoc in opposition areas.
Trezeguet is skilled at finding space and is a deadly finisher. The former Aston Villa man is also a very good creator, and in Salah’s absence, he will be tasked with carrying most of the attacking load for Egypt.